Irish "economic miracle" and the experiences of rural development

Abstract

For the 1st fifteen years or so there has been an intensive talk about the Irish "economic miracle". Since Irish economy has experienced a highest degree of sustained growth among the EU states in this very period, this observation is an accurate one. The average GDP in this period has constantly been above five percent. The national income per capita rose dramatically to 2700 Euro and is the highest in the EU. The rate of employment is permanently on the increase while (qualified) working force is becoming imported as well. In a very short period of time Ireland has achieved not only an impressive level of economic development, but has also experienced a radical social transformation. From predominantly agrarian and traditionally emigrant country, Ireland had rapidly become a highly developed (post)industrial immigrant society. There is no doubt that the adequate strategy and the politics of rural development had an important role to play in achieving these remarkable results. Regardless of how much this development is conditioned and influenced by the rural development policies of the EU, Irish model still has many authentic features. This paper explores the possibilities of using some of these experiences from the Irish developmental strategies in the context of an integral rural development of Serbia in the period of transition.